If she was, then that would be a huge coincidence.
Hearing Kobayashi Itsuki agree, the person on the other end of the phone was also very happy.
Especially upon learning that Kobayashi Itsuki was right there in Kasukabe City, her tone became even lighter.
After setting the time and place for the meeting, Kobayashi Itsuki hung up the phone.
The meeting was scheduled for this afternoon after the Kindergarten closed, at a cafe on Commercial Street.
Kobayashi Itsuki had to admit that he seemed to have a special connection with Commercial Street.
He had plans to go to Commercial Street almost every day this week.
It was past ten in the morning.
The children from the three classes finished their lesson. Ageo Masumi had just arrived at the office, ready to call Kobayashi Itsuki to class, when she looked at him and asked curiously.
"Teacher Kobayashi, did something happy happen this weekend?"
"What's wrong?"
Kobayashi Itsuki looked at Ageo Masumi in surprise. "Am I showing it too obviously?"
"Yes. Although Teacher Kobayashi is usually calm, his eyes always seemed stressed before."
"But today, Teacher Kobayashi looks completely happy. I think something good must have happened, right?"
"That's right. Today, I received a call from an Editor at Fujimi Bunko asking to meet me to discuss serialization."
"Serialization?"
"Yes, maybe you'll be able to see it in a while..."
"I will definitely buy it immediately to support you, Teacher Kobayashi!!!"
Ageo Masumi excitedly stepped forward, grabbed Kobayashi Itsuki's hands, and spoke very seriously.
This was completely different from her usual timid and hesitant demeanor.
"Thank you very much, Teacher Ageo. If there are sample copies, I will give you one."
"Teacher Kobayashi, the children are all here... wait, Teacher Ageo, what are you two doing?"
A familiar voice rang out, and it felt as if background music had started playing.
Turning his head, Kobayashi Itsuki saw Matsuzaka Ume leaning against the doorway, looking at the two of them with some surprise.
Seeing Matsuzaka Ume, Ageo Masumi immediately reverted to her usual somewhat taciturn self.
Kobayashi Itsuki didn't think much of it, simply smiling at Matsuzaka Ume.
"Teacher Ageo was congratulating me."
"Congratulating you?"
Matsuzaka Ume grew more confused.
"Yes, my novel is going to be serialized. I'm meeting the editor after work..."
Matsuzaka Ume, who already viewed Kobayashi Itsuki through a filter, felt that filter thicken even more upon hearing this!
"So that's it! Then I really must congratulate you properly..."
Matsuzaka Ume quickly stepped forward, mimicking Ageo Masumi's action, snatched Kobayashi Itsuki's hand out of her grip, and held it tightly in her own.
Just by lowering her gaze for a moment, Matsuzaka Ume's eyes fell upon the watch on Kobayashi Itsuki's wrist.
'This watch...'
Matsuzaka Ume, who had some knowledge of luxury goods, couldn't tell the exact value of the watch at first glance.
But she could still recognize the brand.
Although Omega wasn't the absolute top-tier luxury watch brand, it was still quite excellent.
Matsuzaka Ume examined it closely, intending to check later what series it was and how much it cost.
Matsuzaka Ume had already accepted the fact that Kobayashi Itsuki was a wealthy man with favorable circumstances.
Checking this wasn't about finding out exactly how much money Kobayashi Itsuki had, but about understanding everything about him, and knowing as much as possible about the other party.
After a brief chat with the two of them, Kobayashi Itsuki hurried out to teach his class.
Class time passed quite quickly.
Soon it was noon, and after eating lunch and taking a short rest, it was time for school to end.
Kobayashi Itsuki did not stay behind to clean up. Instead, he told Takakura Bunta that he was going to sign a contract.
Leaving a little early also served to refresh the other party's perception of him.
A famous, popular serialized novelist.
This title sounded quite good when spoken aloud.
Leaving the Kindergarten, Kobayashi Itsuki quickly headed toward the Commercial Street.
He soon arrived at the coffee shop where he had agreed to meet the editor.
He checked the time; he still had a little while.
Kobayashi Itsuki had just sat down and sent a text message to the editor, and was about to order a coffee, when he suddenly heard the crisp sound of the door chime.
He looked up toward the entrance and saw a beautiful figure pushing the door open and stepping inside.
Long, straight black hair, and a graceful figure.
Dressed in a professional OL outfit—a small blouse on top and a pencil skirt below—her long, fair legs, accentuated by black stockings, appeared even more captivating.
If he had to describe her, she perfectly matched Kobayashi Itsuki's ideal description of the term 'Black Long Straight'.
Pure and radiant.
Stunningly beautiful.
After entering, the woman looked around.
She quickly walked toward Kobayashi Itsuki, who was seated by the window.
"Excuse me, are you Akira?"
He hadn't thought much of it when they spoke on the phone, but being addressed this way face-to-face by the beautiful woman in front of him, Kobayashi Itsuki immediately felt like he couldn't keep a straight face.
"That's me. You must be Miss Ohara, right?"
"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, Akira."
Ohara Nanako extended her hand proactively, speaking with grace and confidence.
After lightly shaking her hand, Kobayashi Itsuki gestured for her to sit down.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kobayashi Itsuki. Please stop calling me Optimistic Cheerful or anything like that; otherwise, I really won't be able to maintain a good mindset. It's truly a bit awkward."
[Ding! You have met Ohara Nanako. Current relationship status: White.]
[Congratulations, Host! You have received White treasure chest *1.]
Hearing this, Ohara Nanako covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.
"In that case, I will call you Teacher Kobayashi."
"No problem, Miss Ohara. Take a look at what you'd like to drink."
Kobayashi Itsuki offered a polite smile and pushed the menu toward her.
Ohara Nanako didn't order coffee, opting instead for a cup of hot milk.
"Before I came, I was wondering what kind of person Teacher Kobayashi would be. I didn't expect you to be so young."
"Miss Ohara, you're the surprising one. I always thought editors were middle-aged men wearing glasses. Who would have thought you'd be such a young and beautiful girl?"
"Are we complimenting each other now?"
Ohara Nanako seemed amused by the stereotype Kobayashi Itsuki had mentioned.
"This should be called commercial mutual praise."
Kobayashi Itsuki 'seriously' corrected Ohara Nanako's statement, and then both of them burst into laughter.
"Teacher Kobayashi is truly humorous and witty, completely different from your writing style."
"I came today to discuss the contract signing with you, Teacher Kobayashi."
Saying this, Ohara Nanako took an envelope out of her bag and handed it over. Inside the envelope was a contract.
It contained the details of the contract.
Kobayashi Itsuki accepted the contract and read it carefully.
The main focus was the section concerning remuneration.
The basic manuscript fee was 4,000 to 6,000 per 400-character page.
In addition, there was a starting royalty rate of 8%.
These figures were currently not fixed. The specifics would be determined after the Newcomer Award competition involving planetarian: the reverie of a little star concluded and the rankings were released.